Episode 1 of "The Residence" kicks off with the dramatic murder of A.B. Wynter, the esteemed chief usher of the White House. The tale unfolds in the present tense amidst a Senate hearing, where Jasmine Haney, the former assistant usher, recounts her harrowing discovery of Wynter's demise. She was initially informed of an "incident," only to learn later of the chief usher's tragic fate. Jasmine had harbored hopes of succeeding Wynter upon his retirement, but earlier that fateful night, she stumbled upon a shocking revelation: Wynter had no intentions of stepping down anytime soon. Tasked with notifying the staff of the "incident," she was instructed to ensure no one ventured near the crime scene.
Meanwhile, Harry Hollinger, the president's trusted friend and chief advisor, seeks to sweep the incident under the rug by branding it a suicide. The timing couldn't be worse, with a crucial state dinner with Australian dignitaries looming on the horizon. It is at this critical juncture that we are introduced to the protagonist of our narrative, the legendary consulting detective, Cordelia Cupp. Renowned as perhaps the finest detective in the world, Cupp harbors a fondness for bird-watching, indulging in her passion for even a brief five minutes whenever opportunity permits, even amidst an ongoing murder investigation.
Enter FBI detective Edwin Park, who, somewhat mysteriously, finds himself as Cupp's unlikely sidekick. Undeterred by Hollinger's relentless attempts to shut down the case expeditiously, Cupp arrives at the scene and initiates a meticulous inspection. She uncovers telltale signs suggesting that Wynter's body has been staged to resemble a suicide—unnaturally slit wrists, blood-stained shirt, and facial cuts. However, Cupp suspects foul play, hypothesizing that poisoning might have been the actual cause of death.
Ignoring Hollinger's incessant and annoying remarks about the potential disruption to the state dinner, Cupp demands a guided tour of the residence. Jasmine Haney steps in to assist, navigating her through the labyrinthine corridors, exits, and entrances, while providing an estimate of the sprawling guest list and staff complement, numbering well over a hundred souls.
As they near Wynter's office, they are startled to find Hollinger poring over paperwork, claiming to search for "sensitive documents." This absurd claim is later ridiculed by a Senate member during the hearing, questioning the rationale behind an usher possessing sensitive political documents in the first place.
Cupp stumbles upon a gory tissue, concealed within the trash receptacle of Wynter's office, igniting her desire to grill everyone within the White House's confines. However, the officials stand firm against this notion, citing the presence of foreign delegates for the prestigious state dinner. At this crucial juncture, Lilly Schumacher, the meticulous planner of White House social gatherings, strides in to relay that the guests have already been apprised of "the happening" and are ready to depart.
Subsequently, Cupp, accompanied by a select few executives and the president, convenes to deliberate on the pressing issue. Cupp presses for securing the premises to facilitate thorough interrogations, but the president remains steadfast in his refusal—until the Australian delegates arrive. Through her keen birdwatcher's binoculars, Cupp spots a stunning revelation: one of them is adorned in A.B. Wynter's very own shirt!
